A guide to the best
and sometimes off the
beaten track historical
ruins around Ireland and
how to get there.

Monday, 8 May 2017

Ballyshanemore Castle Co Kilkenny

Above Image: North facing wall with ogee window

Above Image: View of East facing wall

I came across this tall sturdy tower house on route to Kilfane
Church (see post here) It is located on a side road leading out of Gowran in Co
Kilkenny.

Following the Invasion of Ireland by the Normans the lands
surrounding Gowran were granted to Theobald Fitzwalter the Chief Butler of
Ireland. The family name Butler derived from this and from 1385 onward James
Butler built some castles starting with Gowran and then subsequently others on his estate one of which
was Ballyshanemore. The castle was in their possession until the Cromwellian
invasion in 1650 in which nearby Gowran castle (the main residence) was very badly
damaged. Ballyshanemore appears to have fared better and the ruins have
survived well enough to this day. A particularly interesting feature is the double lit ogee
headed window positioned in the North facing wall. Although there are several
other windows present this one is the most decorative. Unfortunately it is not
possible to view the interior with its reported large fireplaces as the
entrance is completely blocked up. A shame really as it would be interesting to
see what else has survived within. The castle has now been incorporated into
some farm outbuildings and there was an open field gate when I visited so I
could have a look at the out of view East wall. Sadly the field here just
beyond the gate seems to have been misused and was strewn with litter some of
it not very pleasant.

A nice example of a fourteenth century tower house then and well worth a visit if in the area.

To find the ruin take the M9 heading South and exit at Junction 7 and at the top of the exit ramp take the left hand exit for the R448 (signposted for Thomastown). Continue straight through the next roundabout and on the subsequent roundabout turn right on to the continuance of the R448. This will lead you to the village of Gowran and once past the huge Gowran Collegiate Church (see earlier post here) take the first left onto Mill Road and you will find the castle 500m along on your left.